The Cao Dai Temple is located about two hours drive out of the Saigon city limits. The best way to see this temple is by tour. You can also go it alone and rent a van for the day. The Cao Dai Sect compound was rather a unique experience. Caodaism is the product of an attempt to create
the perfect religion. It mixes Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, native Vietnamese, Spiritualism, Christianity, and Islam. They get alot of their ideas and "saints" through seances. This is usually performed by a high priest holding a crayon or by a follower who leaves an empty envelope taped to the altar and when he comes back a divine message may be found inside. Patron saints include Dr. SunYat Sen and Victor Hugo. Their symbol of worship is a Masonic-like eyeball and their temples are extremely colorful and festive.
We witnessed noon mass at this particular temple, which brings hundreds of followers all dressed in white into the temple for prayer. If the mixture of religion was not enough to spark a visit here, then you must see the temple within the compound. It is absolutely the most ornate and colorful house of worship we have ever been in, mirroring the showmanship of decor during the baroque and byzantine times in europe and turkey. This, though, built in the 20th century.